Vallejo looks at ways to continue providing housing assistance

Even as Vallejo's Housing and Community Development Division seeks ways to reorganize staffing levels to keep up with federal funding cuts, some outside relief may be on the way.

On Tuesday, the Vallejo City Council will sign a resolution supporting the Solano Association of Realtors' grant application. The association plans to donate the grant from the California Association of Realtors' Housing Affordability Fund to the city, if received.

For every dollar Vallejo spends of federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds on project costs, Vallejo must contribute an additional 25 percent. With last year's dissolution of the Vallejo Redevelopment Agency, the city has been scrambling to find a new local match funding source. The grant would meet that need, according to a city staff report.

The federal government has cut its HOME funding distribution by half since the 2010-2011 fiscal year, according to the city report.

In a further attempt to evolve with other reduced federal housing revenue coming into Vallejo in recent years, the Housing and Community Development Division has been reorganizing staffing levels and job descriptions. On Tuesday, the council will consider establishing a new "housing specialist supervisor" position, the last of several job description shifts.

On the evening's agenda is a similar proposal to reorganize city Maintenance Division jobs.

Later, the council will take a second go at filling vacancies on the Economic Vitality and the Housing and Redevelopment commissions and the Soltrans Public Advisory Committee. Votes last month were met with tie votes, due to the absence of Councilwoman Stephanie Gomes.

In other agenda items, the council will consider:

* Assessing City Manager Dan Keen's performance in his first year, in a closed-door review starting at 4 p.m.

* A closed-door update on labor negotiations with the International Association of Firefighters 1186, International Brother of Electrical Workers 2376, Confidential, Administrative and Managerial Professionals and Vallejo Police Officers Association.

* Approving the purchase of 19 vehicles, including seven unmarked and seven police patrol units, four Fire Department emergency response utility vehicles and one Public Works Engineering Division utility vehicle for about $548,000;

* Amending staffing levels in the Maintenance and Engineering divisions;

* Giving second and final approvals to the vacant buildings ordinance and mid-year budget amendment.